Comments on: Afghan Women Speak Out: Dr. Roshnak Wardak http://codepink.org/blog/2009/10/afghan-women-speak-out-dr-roshnak-wardak/ the Personal is Political Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:47:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: admin http://codepink.org/blog/2009/10/afghan-women-speak-out-dr-roshnak-wardak/comment-page-1/#comment-2312 admin Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:31:22 +0000 http://codepink4peace.org/blog/?p=2444#comment-2312 Abby: I have never heard of or seen codepinkers "heckling" at anyone's funerals. Send a link to TV coverage, if it exists. On your last point, Medea Benjamin accurately reported what women in Kabul told her about their fears of a Taliban takeover in the case of a rapid withdrawal of US troops, before any negotiated settlements had been arranged. Afghanistan is a complex tragedy and Code Pink's statements since the delegation there reflect that. Abby: I have never heard of or seen codepinkers “heckling” at anyone’s funerals. Send a link to TV coverage, if it exists. On your last point, Medea Benjamin accurately reported what women in Kabul told her about their fears of a Taliban takeover in the case of a rapid withdrawal of US troops, before any negotiated settlements had been arranged. Afghanistan is a complex tragedy and Code Pink’s statements since the delegation there reflect that.

]]> By: Abby http://codepink.org/blog/2009/10/afghan-women-speak-out-dr-roshnak-wardak/comment-page-1/#comment-2311 Abby Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:23:53 +0000 http://codepink4peace.org/blog/?p=2444#comment-2311 Ok, While I never liked your politics I always respected you for not sacraficing your integrity, you knew what you believed in and you stood for it. While we may disagree, it doesn't mean we have to be aginst eachother. I see you as my sisters. And as you well know sisters don't always see eye to eye, but women need to support eachother,and I support you, as women. I just want to know where it is you all stand on the following issue. I am totally confused. One minute you (code pink) call Ms. Rice a war criminal with "blood" dripping from your hands 2007. Next some of the first code pinkers stood (the legal distance) away from the funerals of our fallen Marines and Soldiers and heckled during the services, (please do not try to deny this as it was broadcast all over the nation on our tellies). Then the first thing you are quoted as saying after talking with the Afghan women (namely a member of Parlament) is that you've decided to rethink the "get out now" policy. You now understand just how detramental it would be for Afghanistan if we were to dramatically or systematically withdraw anytime soon. And that you in fact agree with Shinkai Karokhail when she said "In the current situation of terrorism, we cannot say troops should be withdrawn". But just about everything I've read here talks about the timeline and getting out of not just Iraq but Afghanistan as well. So which is it? Once and for all. Take a firm stand. Ok,
While I never liked your politics I always respected you for not sacraficing your integrity, you knew what you believed in and you stood for it. While we may disagree, it doesn’t mean we have to be aginst eachother. I see you as my sisters. And as you well know sisters don’t always see eye to eye, but women need to support eachother,and I support you, as women. I just want to know where it is you all stand on the following issue.
I am totally confused. One minute you (code pink) call Ms. Rice a war criminal with “blood” dripping from your hands 2007.
Next some of the first code pinkers stood (the legal distance) away from the funerals of our fallen Marines and Soldiers and heckled during the services, (please do not try to deny this as it was broadcast all over the nation on our tellies).
Then the first thing you are quoted as saying after talking with the Afghan women (namely a member of Parlament) is that you’ve decided to rethink the “get out now” policy. You now understand just how detramental it would be for Afghanistan if we were to dramatically or systematically withdraw anytime soon. And that you in fact agree with Shinkai Karokhail when she said “In the current situation of terrorism, we cannot say troops should be withdrawn”. But just about everything I’ve read here talks about the timeline and getting out of not just Iraq but Afghanistan as well. So which is it? Once and for all. Take a firm stand.

]]> By: Demitra Williamson http://codepink.org/blog/2009/10/afghan-women-speak-out-dr-roshnak-wardak/comment-page-1/#comment-2306 Demitra Williamson Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:34:34 +0000 http://codepink4peace.org/blog/?p=2444#comment-2306 I am a woman Soldier and would first like say that I applaud the efforts of your organization. It is inspiring as a Soldier to know that there are still people that take an active interest in our country and how our government conducts business. I do however want to share with you some of my experiences as a veteran who has served in both Afghanistan and Iraq. I know that from the way that our involvement is presented in the media, it seems that we are just making war with other countries. The media does not present the entire picture. I noted that your mission talks of “policies based on diplomacy, compassion and a commitment to international law.” That is absolutely what our presence in the Middle East is supposed to be. Yes, there is fighting, but we are not fighting those countries, we are fighting those who are trying to stop democracy and rule by fear. Our presence is just about fighting; I never had to fire my weapon at anyone during my deployments. We are helping to build communities including schools, roads, hospitals, homes, utilities, etc. Soldiers are trying to fill the role of doctors, teachers, engineers and business leaders because there is no one else to send. I haven’t seen masses of civilian doctors, teachers, engineers, and business leaders trying to go to these countries to help. The few that do go usually leave after a short time because of the dangerous conditions. I have seen the changes in the people over time. It is true that some of the people of Afghanistan and Iraq want us out but there are just as many, if not more that are glad we are there. Before our involvement, the people of these countries were afraid to try to influence their government because they would be killed. Now, they are proud to vote and take an active role in serving in government, security forces, and other key careers to help their county. Imagine a young child or elderly woman who walks miles in 120 degrees to get to the nearest water well and return to their hut that has no electricity to cook a meal that can barely feed their family. I have seen that and it is not pretty. Now, that village has its own water well and electricity for about eight hours a day. There is more peace in that village now that they aren’t fighting over limited water and stealing the little gas powered generator from each other. What I am saying is that there is so much more to these situations that even I didn’t see the point until I actually saw it with my own eyes. I would encourage you to take a moment to talk to Soldiers. I do not expect that it will change your opinion, but it will give you slightly different perspective on a few things and maybe even some insight on how to approach those barriers that you may be facing in your efforts. Thanks for efforts and for taking the time to consider my opinion. (Major Demitra Williamson, student Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The views expressed in this comment are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.) I am a woman Soldier and would first like say that I applaud the efforts of your organization. It is inspiring as a Soldier to know that there are still people that take an active interest in our country and how our government conducts business. I do however want to share with you some of my experiences as a veteran who has served in both Afghanistan and Iraq. I know that from the way that our involvement is presented in the media, it seems that we are just making war with other countries. The media does not present the entire picture.

I noted that your mission talks of “policies based on diplomacy, compassion and a commitment to international law.” That is absolutely what our presence in the Middle East is supposed to be. Yes, there is fighting, but we are not fighting those countries, we are fighting those who are trying to stop democracy and rule by fear. Our presence is just about fighting; I never had to fire my weapon at anyone during my deployments. We are helping to build communities including schools, roads, hospitals, homes, utilities, etc. Soldiers are trying to fill the role of doctors, teachers, engineers and business leaders because there is no one else to send. I haven’t seen masses of civilian doctors, teachers, engineers, and business leaders trying to go to these countries to help. The few that do go usually leave after a short time because of the dangerous conditions.

I have seen the changes in the people over time. It is true that some of the people of Afghanistan and Iraq want us out but there are just as many, if not more that are glad we are there. Before our involvement, the people of these countries were afraid to try to influence their government because they would be killed. Now, they are proud to vote and take an active role in serving in government, security forces, and other key careers to help their county. Imagine a young child or elderly woman who walks miles in 120 degrees to get to the nearest water well and return to their hut that has no electricity to cook a meal that can barely feed their family. I have seen that and it is not pretty. Now, that village has its own water well and electricity for about eight hours a day. There is more peace in that village now that they aren’t fighting over limited water and stealing the little gas powered generator from each other.

What I am saying is that there is so much more to these situations that even I didn’t see the point until I actually saw it with my own eyes. I would encourage you to take a moment to talk to Soldiers. I do not expect that it will change your opinion, but it will give you slightly different perspective on a few things and maybe even some insight on how to approach those barriers that you may be facing in your efforts. Thanks for efforts and for taking the time to consider my opinion.

(Major Demitra Williamson, student Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The views expressed in this comment are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.)

]]> By: ofigennoe.ru http://codepink.org/blog/2009/10/afghan-women-speak-out-dr-roshnak-wardak/comment-page-1/#comment-2287 ofigennoe.ru Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:59:17 +0000 http://codepink4peace.org/blog/?p=2444#comment-2287 I hope this was a very interesting post thanks for writing it! I hope this was a very interesting post thanks for writing it!

]]> By: DavidByron http://codepink.org/blog/2009/10/afghan-women-speak-out-dr-roshnak-wardak/comment-page-1/#comment-2284 DavidByron Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:58:21 +0000 http://codepink4peace.org/blog/?p=2444#comment-2284 I've just read the antiwar.com interview of Medea Benjamin where they try to clear up her recent change of views on Afghanistan as reported in the CS Monitor. http://original.antiwar.com/scott/2009/10/07/is-medea-benjamin-confused/ Title, "Is Medea Benjamin Naive or Just Confused?" She seems to have completely reversed her position to become pro-Afghan war (or pro-occupation if you prefer). She describes it as, "I feel we have to have a responsible exit strategy" meaning nation building. Meaning somehow guaranteeing no Taliban after the US "leaves". Meaning it can never leave. And per the CS Monitor this attitude is now somehow the official CodePink view?????? I am just gobsmacked. I am literally unable to believe what I am hearing. WTF??? She just woke up one day and decided to reverse 180 degrees everything she's bee working for for the last seven years maybe? Hey, you know what? There are women in Iraq too. Does she want to stick around there to do some good? I just cannot believe this. Sorry for the language. I’ve just read the antiwar.com interview of Medea Benjamin where they try to clear up her recent change of views on Afghanistan as reported in the CS Monitor.

http://original.antiwar.com/scott/2009/10/07/is-medea-benjamin-confused/

Title, “Is Medea Benjamin Naive or Just Confused?”

She seems to have completely reversed her position to become pro-Afghan war (or pro-occupation if you prefer). She describes it as, “I feel we have to have a responsible exit strategy” meaning nation building. Meaning somehow guaranteeing no Taliban after the US “leaves”. Meaning it can never leave.

And per the CS Monitor this attitude is now somehow the official CodePink view??????

I am just gobsmacked.
I am literally unable to believe what I am hearing.

WTF???

She just woke up one day and decided to reverse 180 degrees everything she’s bee working for for the last seven years maybe?

Hey, you know what? There are women in Iraq too. Does she want to stick around there to do some good?

I just cannot believe this.
Sorry for the language.

]]> By: Errori ed Orrori di guerra. Le Donne afghane dicono Fuori! | Reset Italia http://codepink.org/blog/2009/10/afghan-women-speak-out-dr-roshnak-wardak/comment-page-1/#comment-2280 Errori ed Orrori di guerra. Le Donne afghane dicono Fuori! | Reset Italia Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:29:20 +0000 http://codepink4peace.org/blog/?p=2444#comment-2280 [...] parla è una donna afghana, medico, membro del parlamento afghano: Roshnak Wardak. Così iniziavo l’articolo che stavo per pubblicare ma c’è un altro ERRORE di cui [...] [...] parla è una donna afghana, medico, membro del parlamento afghano: Roshnak Wardak. Così iniziavo l’articolo che stavo per pubblicare ma c’è un altro ERRORE di cui [...]

]]>